Later-Round Category Targets - Stolen Bases

The stolen base is like no other category in the rotisserie game. It is correlated to no other category that is used in fantasy and is influenced by "specialists" (meaning players who only contribute in one category) way more than any other as well. Steal attempts have also been trending downward in recent MLB history, making […]

Hidden Gems To Watch - 2021 Infielder Prospects

When we talk about prospects, almost everybody wants to gravitate to the names at the top of the various lists; the guys like Wander Franco or Julio Rodriguez. The ones we've deemed "generational talents" or determined will "win you your league." But the issue, as we've seen with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., is that predicting prospect […]

Power Sleepers - Noteworthy 2020 Barrel Leaders

As we've continued to progress in the MLB offseason, I've been looking at barrel rates from 2020 in the hopes of finding players whose breakouts during the shortened season were real or those who may still have breakouts looming. As I've mentioned previously, I'm a firm believer that finding the barrel regularly is an incredibly […]

Catcher Draft Targets for All Leagues

Enough with the catcher slander! As fantasy baseball drafts heat up, all I keep reading about is how we're "forced" to draft catchers and how they can tank your roster. Catchers are people too! I could use thousands of words writing about the value of catchers and how the grind of their defensive job and […]

Deeper League Sleepers at Second Base

When focusing on sleepers for deeper leagues, playing time really matters the most. You also might want to pair playing time with certain stats as you get deeper into the player pool. Below are five names that offer secure playing time and many come with a stat that helps them stand out from others at […]

Bobby Dalbec (1B, BOS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 250 CURRENT ADP: ~277 overall ANALYSIS: After coming up through Boston's farm system as a third baseman, Dalbec now projects to be the Opening Day first baseman for the Red Sox with Rafael Devers manning the hot corner. Dalbec slugged his way through the upper levels of the minors, hitting 32 home runs […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/18) - Montgomery, Alcantara Surging

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

2021 Starting Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues (Part 2)

We now move on to starting pitcher in our mixed-league rankings analysis series. If you missed them, here is our review of Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop, Outfield, and of course, Starting Pitcher Part One. RotoBaller's rankers, JB Branson, Pierre Camus, Nick Mariano, and Ariel Cohen have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings once more based on […]

Tanner Houck (SP, BOS) - 2021 Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

The Red Sox haven’t developed a legitimate MLB starting pitcher since Clay Buchholz, but Tanner Houck has the potential to be just that. Houck was the Red Sox’s first-round pick back in 2017 and steadily climbed the system since then, never putting up eye-popping numbers but always holding his own at every level he was […]

Rafael Devers With Three Home Runs This Spring

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers has delivered some solid power numbers so far this spring. Over 11 games and 29 at-bats, he's hit three home runs and tallied seven RBI. He's slashing .207/.258/.552. Devers had his breakout season in 2019, when he hit .311 with 32 home runs, 115 RBI and 129 runs. […]

Triston Casas, Jarren Duran Reassigned To Minors

The Boston Red Sox have made several roster moves on Wednesday. The team is sending its top prospect, first baseman Triston Casas, to the minor leagues. Outfielder Jarren Duran, the team's No. 4 prospect, has been reassigned as well. Duran had a strong spring with the club, slashing .318/.375/.773 with two home runs and two […]

Tanner Houck Optioned To Alternate Site

Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck has been optioned to the team's alternate site. Houck had an abysmal spring with the club. He walked 10 batters over 6.1 innings and posted an 8.53 ERA and 2.53 WHIP. The 24-year-old Houck made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2020 and performed exceptionally well. He […]

Boston Names Eduardo Rodriguez As Opening Day Starter

Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has been tabbed as the club's Opening Day starter for April 1 versus the Orioles. Rodriguez missed the entire 2020 season after dealing with severe complications stemming from COVID-19, which included myocarditis. The ailment makes Rodriguez something of an unknown heading into the new year, although the Red […]

Sam Chinitz's 10 Bold Predictions For 2021

The 2021 MLB regular season is less than one month away, so it’s time for some bold predictions. Last year’s bold predictions didn’t pan out too well for me; if we’re being generous, two out of the ten predictions hit -- and that’s including Corey Kluber posting a sub-3.00 ERA (which technically happened, even if […]

2021 Keeper Value Rankings - Third Base

Many many years ago, I noticed the managers in my long-time keeper league were consistently making terrible keeper decisions year after year. Instead of taking their money every year thought I would help them out and find a good set of Keeper League Rankings to share with them. What I found was quite disturbing. There […]

Danny Santana Will Miss At Least Two More Weeks

Boston Red Sox utility man Danny Santana (foot) was hospitalized earlier in the week due to a foot infection, an ailment which has now been cleared up. Santana was allowed to leave the hospital Wednesday after receiving stitches, but his timeline for a return to game action has been pushed back. Santana appeared in just […]

Franchy Cordero Could Miss Opening Day

Boston Red Sox outfielder Franchy Cordero has been working his way back from a bout with COVID-19, shifting his timeline for his regular-season availability. Manager Alex Cora said Wednesday that there was "a chance" that Cordero would be cleared in time for April 1 against Baltimore, although the team's glut of reserve outfielders could help […]

Matt Andriese Throws Four Scoreless Innings Of Relief

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Andriese continued to throw the ball well this spring, throwing four scoreless innings in a long-relief appearance against the Braves. Andriese originally came up as a starter with the Rays but has been effective since switching to the bullpen, posting a 3.00 K/BB ratio and a sub-4.00 FIP over the […]

Red Sox Will Open Season With Five-Man Rotation

After experimenting with an opener and a six-man rotation in 2020, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora announced on Monday that the Red Sox will be returning to the five-man rotation. This is promising fantasy news for each of the Red Sox starters, who will now have free reign to eat up innings, but none […]

Alex Verdugo Continues To Struggle

Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo went 0-for-3 on Tuesday, dropping his already low spring training average to an anemic .111. Verdugo was one of the few bright spots for the Red Sox last year, hitting .308 with a 126 OPS+ while placing 12th in the American League MVP race. Verdugo has hit at every […]

Tanner Houck Gets Roughed Up Again

Boston Red Sox starter Tanner Houck allowed three runs in 2 2/3 innings of work on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. In three spring appearances, his ERA is now at 8.53 and he has an underwhelming K:BB of 4:10. Houck entered camp with an opportunity to secure one of the starting slots for the Red […]

Matt Barnes Throws A Strong Inning Of Relief

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes had another strong outing on Monday, striking out two in a scoreless inning of relief. Barnes has yet to allow a run in three scoreless outings this spring, making a strong case for the closer's role. His competition for the spot, Adam Ottavino, has also pitched well this spring, […]

Hirokazu Sawamura Struggles Monday

New Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura had a rough outing on Monday, walking three and failing to finish his only inning of relief in Grapefruit League action. Sawamura, who came over from Japan this offseason, impressed scouts and fans alike with his upper-90s fastball and mid-90s splitter, but outings like this could quickly lose […]

Nick Pivetta Has Another Strong Outing

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta looked good again in Monday's start, throwing four innings of one-run ball while striking out four and walking just one. Pivetta has been sharp from his very first pitch this spring, as evidence by his 8:1 K:BB ratio. With Matt Andriese struggling and prospect Tanner Houck pitching in relief, […]

Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Injury Updates

Injury updates tend to change often during Spring Training. "Soreness" is a common theme as players get back into game shape. I will be giving the most recent available injury updates from the offseason. These updates will undoubtedly change as Spring Training continues. As we get closer to Opening Day, some injuries are much more […]

Michael Chavis Homers Again

Boston Red Sox utilityman Michael Chavis hit his fourth home run of the spring on Monday, continuing to make a strong impression as he fights for a roster spot. Chavis is coming off a down 2020 in which he dealt with injuries and posted just a 69 OPS+. Chavis has been very vocal about his […]

Later-Round First Basemen - Targets and Avoids

Once you reach the middle-to-late rounds of drafts, everyone wants to draft some upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. You can take a risk or two on a variety of different players, including a prospect, forgotten veterans, players returning from injuries, or even players with skills but have playing time concerns. […]

2021 Starting Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Leagues (Part 1)

We now move on to starting pitcher in our mixed-league rankings analysis series. If you missed them, here is our review of Catcher, First Base, Second Base, Third Base, Shortstop, and Outfield. RotoBaller's rankers, JB Branson, Pierre Camus, Nick Mariano, and Ariel Cohen have updated our 2021 Mixed League rankings once more based on early spring training action. You can […]

Spring Training Lineup Takeaways: Recapping Week 2 - Bases Loaded Podcast

Continuing on to week two of Spring Training lineup coverage! Subscribe to the Bases Loaded podcast, part of RotoBaller Radio's Podcast Network. Like and Subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, […]

Jay Groome Makes Spring Debut In Relief

Former Boston Red Sox first-round pick Jay Groome made his spring debut on Saturday, throwing a scoreless inning in relief against the Braves. Groome was the 12th overall pick in the 2016 draft, but he has struggled with injuries throughout his minor league career, throwing just eight innings since 2017. Still just 22, the door […]